Mt Baker

Before we left for Texas we decided to drive up to Mt Baker and see if we could find some places to sled. We didn't do too well on finding a suitable place and we left too late in the day but we did get to play in the snow for a little bit!

Who needs snow?

When it snowed I bought a couple of sleds to use on the hills in front of my parents house and of course we have had no snow since then.

Well, today we had a gorgeous day and so Peyton was outside with my mom while I was finishing up lunch with Graham. When I came out she asked for her sled, I was confused, she explained in greater and louder detail and I found the sled and of we went and we had so much fun! We seriously just went down the wet hills and had a blast. She was soaked but it was worth it!

 

 And of course after awhile just Peyton going by herself was not enough fun and somehow Mommy was convinced to join in the fun. Although I am not as brave as Peyton and was scared and felt like a baby.

 Then we both decided to go which was a bad idea...I was scared by myself and so when I added Peyton I was even more scared because I didn't want anything to happen to her. We ended up falling and I have a bruise on my hip and Peyton thought it was hilarious!

I bought some ski pants for Peyton today at Target for $15 so she won't be soaked when we go out again and also when we head out to Mt Baker eventually. Peyton is already asking to go tomorrow! 

Christmas Tree Farm

On Saturday we headed to a Christmas Tree Farm to find the perfect tree. I was so excited to have the chance to have a real tree this year and also for the fun experience to look around and find that perfect tree. And I can even think of a better setting a view to be looking for Christmas trees in! I loved it! It was such a fun memory and although according to my mom, we got way too big of a tree, I love the tree and it is starting to feel like Christmas!

Mt Baker in the background....I just love being surronded by mountains!

 Graham chilling in the baby Bjorn with mommy!

Peyton hunting for the perfect tree! She wanted a "giant' one!

 Found it...now time to help Papa cut it down!

The tree is home and we are working on putting the lights on! Isn't it a perfect, big, fat tree! I love it!

Thanksgiving Recap

This Thanksgiving might not have had the largest gathering of people, or the most glamorous of locations or gourmet meal but it was full of love, thankfulness and just joy for being around people that I love and have missed so much. I have missed my family more than I knew. Maybe I just turned that off and didn't think about it while I was away but now that I have them around I realize how much I miss them, the loudness, craziness and dynamic that my family has. It really all hit me when I saw my youngest sister walk in the door from flying up from Lubbock and realizing how much I missed her. I don't talk to her on Skype everyday or on the phone because she is in college and busy and has a weird college schedule and so I have missed her. So, this Thanksgiving when we went around and said what we were thankful for...I was thankful for family, and that I was sitting around the table with my family near complete (and at Christmas we will finally be all together for the first time since May). The table was full of love, and an undeniable family bond complete with my parents, sister and Aunt and Uncle and my precious kids and I was full of thankfulness....and turkey!

And true to form...Graham tried everything and LOVED it and Peyton ate nothing besides bread...although she tried the cranberries.

Thankful Thursdays

This is a continuation from my first post of reflecting on our blessings and reasons to give thanks during the month of November...

1. Psalm 106:1 "Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" I am thankful in the promise that no matter where I am... that I am loved by an amazing Savior!
2. I am thankful that my husband has a job. Although he is now working 12 hour shifts up until we leave to go home to the states...I am focusing on the positive that he has a well paying job and can provide for us.
3. I am thankful for my two kids and the laughter they provide in my day!
4. I am thankful for my little sister Shannon! Happy Birthday! I am thankful for the time that I had while we were living in Texas to spend with her and the growth that we had in our relationship. I am thankful for the direction her life is going and the positive and great things going on in her life. I am thankful for the love she has for my kids.
5. Thankful for the Texas vs. Texas Tech football game (big family rivalry with one sister a Tech alumni and the other attending) being broadcasted live in Saudi and that I got to watch half of it cuddling with my husband before he had to go back to work! And that the Longhorns won!!! Hook 'Em Horns!
6. I am thankful for the beautiful beach we live right next to (seriously a five minute walk at that) and for a wonderful morning eating breakfast with friends and playing at the beach! Thankful for God's amazing creation!
7. I am thankful that I am able to fly back to the States and spend seven wonderful weeks with family and friends!
8. Thankful for a wonderful day with G and that Peyton and her have picked up right where they left off. Thankful for the relationship they have and how much my mom loves my kids and is such an important and wonderful influence in their lives!
9. Thankful for God's creation and the amazing beauty of it. Love seeing the mountains, lake and gorgeous view every morning when we wake up here in Washington. Amazing!
10. Thankful for technology and how it makes the distance across the world seem smaller!
11. Thankful for those who have served and continue to serve to protect the freedoms we have in the States and in Canada. So many people live without the freedom to vote, drive, have an opinion, freedom of speech and I am forever grateful for those who have served and died for those freedoms for us. I am even more thankful for my Grandpa and his service to Canada during WWII.
12. Thankful that Papa had a safe flight up from Houston and the time that Peyton is spending with her friend. Thankful that he is patient with her and lets her help him with all kinds of projects.
13. Thankful for my parents and their commitment to one another and 30 years of marriage!
14. Thankful for the freedom to drive and go where I please and whenever I please! So thankful!
15. I am thankful that I can drive to Barnes and Noble and buy Christian books! Thankful for the freedom of religion!
16. Thankful for my mom who watched my kids while I enjoyed a 3 mile run through the trails of Whatcom Creek Falls. A great run in beautiful weather and gorgeous surrondings!
17. Thankful for my friends in Texas who have continued to stay in touch with me and are planning time to visit while we are there. I am thankful for their hospitality and excitment to see me and my family! I am so looking forward to seeing them!
18. Thankful for real water and not having to shower in salt water! My hair is very appreciative!   
19. Thankful for the opportunity to freely attend church and sing praises to my Saviour with hundreds of other people.
20. Thankful for my husband who is working hard while we are gone at his job and at finishing up unpacking and things I wanted to get done around the house. 
21. Thankful for rain, the change in seasons and nature!
22. Thankful for two healthy kids who continue to grow and thrive. 
23. Thankful that we have a bountiful feast to enjoy tomorrow and for our blessings.
24. Thankful to be spending Thanksgiving with family!

On the move...

Graham finally figured out how to coordinate all his legs and arms and get moving in a forward direction and he is one happy guy!

Last week (I think around the 16th) he started pushing himself back into a sitting position which is almost better in crawling in my opinion. I have a feeling I will be doing lots of chasing with him! I already forgot he was able to crawl when I was in Barnes and Noble and just sat him down to help Peyton with a book and within a minute he was off and Peyton was telling me that Graham was running away.

He just screams with excitment when he is on the move and I know he is just going to be trouble! Fun times!

Snow, Donuts and Cars

Peyton is living the good life and being spoiled left and right by G and Papa and enjoying Washington as much as her mother!

She went outside to play in the snow the other morning. However she was dissapointed that there wasn't enough to make a snowman.

Then this morning she woke up early and went off with Papa to Rocket Donuts for a special breakfast. She woke up at 5 AM and asked me if it was time and I told her to go to bed, she did and apparently just went down at 6 AM to Papa and G's room in hopes she could get a different answer, they got her to go back to sleeep for another hour and then they were finally off. She had 2 donuts there and then they came home with some for us including the "monster donut."

After our sugar filled morning they surprised her with her very own set of wheels. Seriously, they had her go out and opened the garage door to reveal her very own car. It felt kind of like the Price is Right. What makes this even more fun is that this is something that my sisters and I wanted so badly growing up and of course we never got one! She was so surprised and loved it! I was surprised at how well she did driving and so I spent the morning chasing her around the driveway and she is already asking to go back out but the battery takes awhile to recharge.

 

We are having a good time at G and Papa's and Mommy is being spoiled with extra hands to take care of babies, ability to go and run on bautiful trails and relax with my family!

My little ballerina

Yesterday turned out to be such a fun day. We went to eat lunch at a fun organic food cafe downtown and then Peyton started going on and on about how much she wanted ballet shoes. She talked about it the other day as well. There is a ballet instructor in Saudi on our camp and I just haven't put Peyton in it because I didn't think she would be interested or ready and she also was doing swimming and didn't want to overwhelm her. But with swimming being put on hold and Peyton starting to express an interest in dancing/ballet/princesses, I am hoping to get her started in ballet lessons when we return.

Since I knew that there is no way we would find what she would need in Saudi to start so we found an amazing dance store in downtown Bellingham. It is run by a husband and wife and they were so helpful and sweet. They had this adorable pink couch for Peyton to sit on to try on her shoes and it was such a fun experience buying Peyton's first ballet shoes. I only did ballet for a little bit when I was young but it was still surreal and fun to buy my daughter her first ballet shoes!

After shoes we needed to pick out a leotard and skirt and tights. I would have keep getting more and more and the girly side in me was coming out and surprisngly Peyton was all about it! We stuck with a simple leotard and skirt instead of the relaly cute and over the top outfits and I told myself if she likes ballet and keeps with it then this summer we will have to come back and get some of the more elaborate outfits!

When I did ballet when I was younger there was an instructor who gave me her ballet sweater after a class. My sister was in that class as well and was so jealous that I got the sweater and not her. My mom reminded me about that story while we were there and I was so tempted to buy Peyton a sweater and didn't. I figured I should look around in the various boxes in storage and find the special sweater and pass it onto her!

 Then when we came home it was time for our ballerina to show us her moves! She is so adorable and wouldn't take off her outfit. She was so excited to show Papa over skype and twirl around for us. I can't wait for her to actually be able to do her lessons and see my little girl do ballet! I can't believe she is old enough to have ballet shoes. I think the only thing that I would have a harder time with our have a more surreal moment would be buying her a horse riding helmet/gear. Now that would be very overwhelming!

Not in Saudi anymore...Snow!!!!

Looks like we might have a snow day in the morning...we were expecting possible snow the next couple of days and it already started tonight just after Peyton went to sleep so I am hoping that it is still here in the morning for her...but then melt so we can go out to a Christmas market!

Thankful Thursday

This is a continuation from my first post of reflecting on our blessings and reasons to give thanks during the month of November...

1. Psalm 106:1 "Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" I am thankful in the promise that no matter where I am... that I am loved by an amazing Savior!
2. I am thankful that my husband has a job. Although he is now working 12 hour shifts up until we leave to go home to the states...I am focusing on the positive that he has a well paying job and can provide for us.
3. I am thankful for my two kids and the laughter they provide in my day!
4. I am thankful for my little sister Shannon! Happy Birthday! I am thankful for the time that I had while we were living in Texas to spend with her and the growth that we had in our relationship. I am thankful for the direction her life is going and the positive and great things going on in her life. I am thankful for the love she has for my kids.
5. Thankful for the Texas vs. Texas Tech football game (big family rivalry with one sister a Tech alumni and the other attending) being broadcasted live in Saudi and that I got to watch half of it cuddling with my husband before he had to go back to work! And that the Longhorns won!!! Hook 'Em Horns!
6. I am thankful for the beautiful beach we live right next to (seriously a five minute walk at that) and for a wonderful morning eating breakfast with friends and playing at the beach! Thankful for God's amazing creation!
7. I am thankful that I am able to fly back to the States and spend seven wonderful weeks with family and friends!
8. Thankful for a wonderful day with G and that Peyton and her have picked up right where they left off. Thankful for the relationship they have and how much my mom loves my kids and is such an important and wonderful influence in their lives!
9. Thankful for God's creation and the amazing beauty of it. Love seeing the mountains, lake and gorgeous view every morning when we wake up here in Washington. Amazing!
10. Thankful for technology and how it makes the distance across the world seem smaller!
11. Thankful for those who have served and continue to serve to protect the freedoms we have in the States and in Canada. So many people live without the freedom to vote, drive, have an opinion, freedom of speech and I am forever grateful for those who have served and died for those freedoms for us. I am even more thankful for my Grandpa and his service to Canada during WWII.
12. Thankful that Papa had a safe flight up from Houston and the time that Peyton is spending with her friend. Thankful that he is patient with her and lets her help him with all kinds of projects.
13. Thankful for my parents and their commitment to one another and 30 years of marriage!
14. Thankful for the freedom to drive and go where I please and whenever I please! So thankful!
15. I am thankful that I can drive to Barnes and Noble and buy Christian books! Thankful for the freedom of religion!
16. Thankful for my mom who watched my kids while I enjoyed a 3 mile run through the trails of Whatcom Creek Falls. A great run in beautiful weather and gorgeous surrondings! 
17. Thankful for my friends in Texas who have continued to stay in touch with me and are planning time to visit while we are there. I am thankful for their hospitality and excitment to see me and my family! I am so looking forward to seeing them!